The Constantly Challenging Duo
Sun Yuan & Peng Yu, were born in Beijing, China in 1972, and in Heilongjiang, China in 1974. Currently, they live and work in Beijing.
They are one of the most crucial post-1970 artist groups. It is difficult to describe their work because they constantly challenge our conventional visual experience. Their works are often flammatory and focus on fascinating and complex issues. They are also known for using dark humour to address contentious topics.
They participated in the 58th International Art Exhibition in Venice with their work Can’t Help Myself (video link). In this work, they employ a robot to examine our increasingly automated global reality. Their robot has one specific duty, to contain the deep-red liquid within an area. Observed from the acrylic partitions that isolate it, the robot seems to acquire consciousness into a life form that has been confined in a space. As for the viewers, the satisfaction of watching the robot’s continuous action elicits a sense of voyeurism, as opposed to thrills. In this case, who is more vulnerable: the human who built the robot or the robot that is controlled by a human?
My favourite creation from them is Freedom. It is spectacular, with a thick black fire hose hanging in the middle of the exhibition hall, intermittently spraying indiscriminately. Under extremely high water pressure, the water pipe is thrown frantically, hitting all directions at will.
Du Xiyun’s commented: ‘The atmosphere created by the dark iron house and the strong dance of the high-pressure water dragon, triggered in-depth thinking in multiple directions, based on China, current cultural issues, but beyond this.’
I feel that the form of this work is simple yet impactful. It demonstrates the measure of the existence of Freedom itself and the questioning of the nature of freedom. Even though the hose is free, it is still trapped in an exhibition hall, which in my opinion, is mocking the Chinese government, with the citizens being the hose and the government as that exhibition hall. It incorporates the dual reality of social life and personal spiritual life with its structure, incorporating every immersive audience to find their perspective from it.
When asked about the motivation behind their works, Sun Yuan & Peng Yu said: “All practical meanings are added by the audience. We never think about the ‘meaning’ behind the work. ”However, It is difficult to say whether this mentality is their inherent mentality or the passive and open mentality that they have developed due to the resistance and protests during the exhibition Dogs cannot touch each other, which caused a huge controversy.
I like how they focus on 3D projects to showcase their idea. As a fan of 3D objects, their artworks further prove my point that 3D artworks give more depth, volume, and meaning than 2D artworks. Also, I like their chemistry. I am impressed by how they could work together in productivity while being partners. They inspire me to leave an ‘open end’ in my future works, where anyone has the ‘freedom’ to depict what my artwork is trying to convey.
References :
Artron Art Network.Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.Introduction to Art.https://gallery.artron.net/82/g_artist_show_2395.html
Art China(2010).Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.Sun Yuan & Peng Yu Freedom.http://art.china.cn/jsmjzl/txt/2010-01/14/content_3344683.htm
Douban(2019).Scope Artist.Sun Yuan & Peng Yu: Contesting all the time.https://www.douban.com/note/729406889/?_i=9536980u7D0xrd,0143317u7D0xrd
Tang Contemporary Art.Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.https://www.tangcontemporary.com/sunyuanpengyu-cn
ZhongZheng Network(2017).Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.A Communication and Contest with “International”.https://www.cs.com.cn/ssgs/gssc/201706/t20170620_5333404.html
